Sichuan Treecreeper Certhia tianquanensis is endemic to China. Occurs patchily from central Sichuan north to south Shaanxi. Common atop Mt. Wawu, where occurs alongside Hodgson’s Treecreeper C. hodgsoni. On nearby Mt. Emei, appears to be absent. In central Sichuan, Sichuan Treecreeper is at Labahe Natural Reserve, the town of Shuanghe, Longxi-Hongkou Forest and Wild Animal Nature Preserve, and Wolong Biosphere Reserve. Also recorded Jiuzhaigou and Tangjiahe in northern Sichuan and on Mt. Taibai in Qin Mountains in Shaanxi. Discovered in 1995, the species has been overlooked and may be found in new locations. HABITAT Old-growth coniferous forests within a narrow altitudinal belt (2500–3000 m, down to 1600 m in winter). Habitat requirements appear to be strict, and much of the suitable habitat for the species may have been destroyed. ID Long-tailed with white chin and throat. Rest of underparts brown, with some rufous-orange spilling over from rump to vent. Combination of long tail, short, relatively straight bill, and fairly brown underparts is unique. BARE PARTS Short, relatively straight bill is blackish-brown above, pale below. Feet pale brown, with long decurved claws (especially hind claw). VOICE Best identified by sound, its descending trill being unlike that of any other treecreeper. Descending, longer trill of Buff-barred Warbler is preceded by one or more call notes, unlike pure trill of Sichuan Treecreeper. Trill of Sichuan Leaf Warbler does not descend in pitch. May call with a trill on one pitch, preceded by single tit. Also thin calls like other treecreepers. — Craig Brelsford
THE TREECREEPERS OF CHINA
shanghaibirding.com has research on all seven species of treecreeper in China. Click any link:
Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris
Hodgson’s Treecreeper C. hodgsoni
Bar-tailed Treecreeper C. himalayana
Rusty-flanked Treecreeper C. nipalensis
Sikkim Treecreeper C. discolor
Hume’s Treecreeper C. manipurensis
Sichuan Treecreeper C. tianquanensis
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Daniel Bengtsson served as chief ornithological consultant for Craig Brelsford’s Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of China, from which this species description is drawn.
